Dooba Ishq - ShivIka OS

Shivaay moved around his darkened room, fidgeting with whatever he could grab onto. He was so restless, waiting around for Anika. The added weight of the white gold ring on his ring finger made him feel so many butterflies, but grounded him so much, he couldn't express. Anika was off somewhere with Gauri, something she wouldn't tell him even, saying it was their Devrani-Jethani bonding thing. Anika had taken to Gauri like a moth to a flame, and he found another thing he loved about her. Love.

He was restless waiting for his lady love. Gosh, it felt so amazing to say that. Seemingly, since the last few months it had been so clearly obvious that the only people who didn't know that Shivaay loved Anika and Anika loved Shivaay were Shivaay and Anika. And since everything that had happened, the forced marriage, his shameful behaviour still made him cringe when he thought about how he'd treated her, and he didn't think he could make it up to Anika with a thousand moons and stars because she didn't deserve that at all, especially not from the man she loved. Love. That aside, the consequent events, and his declaration of her as his wife had strengthened them in a way none could break. And today's announcement of their re-marriage and the engagement ceremony, in Anika's words, happiness had truly returned to Oberoi mansion, all courtesy of the woman he loved. Love.

What he truly realised today, was despite all the actions that clearly affirmed how much the both of them loved each other, the actual words never really made out of their mouths. Love.

Which is precisely why today you might find the Businessman of the year, Mr. Shivaay Singh Oberoi, tapping his foot and fidgeting with things in sheer restlessness, like a normal man in love. Love.

Anika walked into the room, and switched on the lights, bringing brightness into the room like she brought brightness into his life. "Why are you sitting in the dark, Shivaay? Devdas doesn't really suit Stone Singh Oberoi now, does it?" She raised her eyebrows while waving her hands around.

He released a laughing breath, admiring how she found humor in the most inopportune moments and made him laugh with everything she said or did. Another quirk of her that he loved. Love.

"No, I was just waiting around for you to come and surprise you with the comeback of Sweet Singh Oberoi," he said while wrapping his arms around her. A tinge of pink covered the cheeks he adored, and he could swear those beautiful hazel eyes shone a little brighter, he loved this effect that his presence had on her. Love. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish, seemingly showing her inability to come up with a humorous retort, and a hand came to rest on his chest, and the metal band despite being cool brought a surge of warmth to him. She snorts at his statement, seemingly back to her senses now, and he expected a sharp witted quip coming his way that never came. Maybe she'd finally learnt to accept his statements without questioning the ulterior motives, finally learnt to accept his love. Love.

Her orbs shone from the light reflecting from the pool, and her arms slowly wrapped around his neck, while her dark locks flew in the gentle breeze. He swore he'd never seen her this beautiful. Or maybe he'd failed to notice this side of the woman he loved. Love.

"So, what were the Devrani-Jethani duo talking about? Comparing how the husbands are pain in the asses?" Shivaay joked. "Female solidarity. My lips are sealed," she smirked while doing a zipping motion over her mouth. She paused, "I'm just so glad Om has found someone Shivaay, and someone as honest and loving as Gauri. He couldn't have done any better, and especially after the drugs fiasco, I'm just so happy for him, Shivaay. He's found his takkar ki Ishqbaaaz. I'm so grateful for all the shower of happiness."

"I know Anika, I know," Shivaay said with a lump in his throat, "I've been so worried for him, and I didn't like the fact that his sensitive side has been gone for so long. I didn't like the fact that he was turning into me Anika, it's a horrible person to be," he said, his heart in pieces for the pain of his brother.

"Shh, don't talk about my husband like that, he's an amazing person, and I'm sure his brothers agree with that," she soothed while running her fingers through his hair at the nape of his neck.

"Anika, you know what I mean, I saw the way he's treated her, the way I treated you in the beginning, and I know how much he'll regret it later, and I don't wish that sort of pain on him, Anika. He's an amazing and sensitive person, he won't be able to handle that guilt, God knows I haven't been able to handle it. The guilt of treating you so horribly, of forcing you to marry me by using your brother, I've been dreadful to you Anika, I'm so sorry," Shivaay choked out.

"Shivaay, please, it's all in the past. You've made up for that, you know you have. And you've given me everything I've ever wanted Shivaay, and the way you've changed for me and the sort of love..." she stopped abruptly. Love.

Love. Their actions showed how much it was present. Yet the words never made it to any of their mouths.

"Continue, Anika," Shivaay commanded, his voice hoarse from emotion.

Anika gaped at him, her heart on her sleeve, his hand in hers, ready to take the leap with him. If only the words were out.

"...the sort of love you've given me, the person you've become matters more than any past deed Shivaay," she choked out. Love.

"Oh, Anika," he muttered and tightened his arms around her while bringing his forehead to rest against hers, tears brimming in both their eyes, ready to flow any moment.

"I love you. So much, so much Shivaay," she whispered and buried her head into his neck, "Thank you for everything, thank you, I don't think I can thank you enough Shivaay, for giving me a reason to live and fight against this world that's always been so hell bent on taking away everything I love, thank you," Anika sobbed in his arms.

"Oh Anika, I should be the one thanking you, you've been a breath of fresh air, contradicting everything I ever knew and believed about this world. I was drowning in this abyss Anika, you saved me. I'm now a mind opened by wonder, a wonder that's you, rather than one closed with his own beliefs. You saved me." He ran his fingers through her air as tears dripped down his cheeks.

Shivaay and Anika. Anika and Shivaay. Opposites in every sense of the word, yet destiny bringing two opposites together as soulmates. A dichotomy in themselves.